a dose of sensibility...

I was being lazy watching Sense and Sensibility, I haven't watched it in ages and i don't know why- it is a gorgeous movie- plus I love how young Hugh Grant was in it! It reminded me of how elegant and civilized we humans used to be...yet still today the same issues of love, money and priorities still plague us all...just not in such a hushed sensible manner.
There is one scene in particular that caught my attention; Marianne is drawing a silhouette of her sweetheart Willoughby by candle light...  now there is nothing new about silhouettes but I guess I have a new appreciation for them.
To me silhouettes are a wonderfully charming balance of old tradition and clean crisp modern lines. A classic way to capture a moment and turn it into a modern piece of art. And apparently I am not the only one loving silhouettes these days...

photos:Anthropologie, Country Living, Etsy, Occasional Enthusiast, BlackApple, CasaSugar, West Elm

Rise and Shine...

I was up early this morning to head east for a seminar on lighting design... no this is not about lighting design (you will hear about that later); driving east in the morning is one of the most striking things to witness. If you are not a morning person -well set your alarm and give it a try because some days there is nothing more beautiful and inspiring than a sunrise. That gorgeous autumnal orange cuts through the crisp aqua blue sky and it takes my breath away. Now granted I grew up on the water and absolutely nothing beats an east coast sunrise (well maybe a west coast sunset can rival it)- and the sunrise on highway 64 is not as stunning but it really inspired me to think about colors and contrast.  The yellows and oranges that meet the blues and then are so starkly contrasted by the silhouettes of the trees or land remind me of a great pop of contrasting wooden finish placed in a room to add drama and create a focal point.

A massive wooden piece like this Morgan Media Dresser from Hickory Chair (left)placed in a room of sunset tones will suddenly transform from a sleek contemporary piece to a striking conversation piece where the depth of its finish will be brought out by the contrast of its surroundings. That contrast can provide a stunning focal point that can make a single piece of functional furniture become the centerpiece of a room.

Contrast is a concept that can be very scary in design but just remember if you invest in a high quality wooden piece to make that statement- if the contrast is too much repaint the walls! It is just paint- if the contrast is too much try going with a slightly deeper color to decrease the contrast. But if you are bold enough to let a great wooden piece stand out you will every day see the depth and complexity in it and the greater the contrast the more the subtlety of the natural grains will come out. And like a great leather sofa a great wooden case good can be passed down for years and years.

photos by: HGTV, Hickory Chair and me!